Bawumia must learn to speak with diplomacy and dignity – Richard Quashigah

Member of Parliament (MP) for Keta Constituency, Honourable Richard Mawuli Quashigah has cautioned Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to learn to speak with diplomacy and dignity as is expected of him.

According to the Keta MP, Dr. Bawumia, is accustomed to using intemperate language which does not suit his status as vice president of a country like Ghana.

His comments follow media reports suggesting the Vice President, has asked the Minority to educate themselves by doing some reading because they were an “ignorant” bunch who do not “understand” the processes of managing the economy.

The Minority in Parliament led by the former Deputy Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson have accused Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta of engaging in a conflict of interest in the issuance of government’s 15-year $2.25billion bond.According to them, issuance of the bond was done in “secrecy”, without parliamentary approval, and “cooked” to favour US-based investor Franklin Templeton who bought 95 percent of the bond.

However, Dr. Bawumia who was speaking to the media in Washington DC in response to Minority’s criticism of the issuance of the domestic bond said, “This shows a lack of understanding, the Minority have never understood this economy and it’s just amazing that people on that side who were actually in charge of managing the economy will be making such statements. It really shows ignorance and I am so sad when I hear that from people who should know better.”

These comments made by the Vice President has angered members of the Minority, especially the Keta legislator who has described the situation as not only unfortunate but a very jaundiced conclusion to have been made by Dr. Bawumia.

“If indeed the reportage as put out by the media is accurate, then he is advised to learn to speak with diplomacy and dignity expected of a vice president or else before long he could cause this nation an incalculable international embarrassment,” he said.

He has, therefore, urged Dr. Bawumia to, as a matter of urgency, “do the excellent thing by withdrawing and apologizing to the good people of Ghana”.